The Third Annual Arizona Cactus Classic presented by Gilbert Arenas and Damon Stoudamire returns May 9-11, 2008. If you don't know already, the Arizona Cactus Classic is the premier tournament of the spring. The field is invite only and is limited to 32 teams. The 2008 tournament is scheduled a week earlier than usual so make sure to check your calendars. Click here, to view the 2008 participating teams.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

• Listen Live over the Internet (McKale Court 1)
• Results and Statistics
• 2008 Arizona Cactus Classic Program - (Pools, Schedules, Rosters)
• 2008 Participating Teams
• Tournament HQ
• Arizona Cactus Classic Past Winners

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Latest Tournament News:

5/8/2008: KAMP Radio will be broadcasting live McKale Court 1 action throughout the entire tournament. Click here to visit the KAMP web site and select your listening preference. Live game action, tournament updates, and interviews will be headed up by Scott Karpen.

5/1/2008: The Arizona Cactus Classic is pleased to announce GOAZCATS.com as Video Sponsor. All 79 games of the 2008 tournament will be taped. Teams will be provided one DVD of each game they play for free of charge. Additional DVD's for all games will be available for non-commercial use for only $5.00 per game.

4/29/2008: The 2008 Arizona Cactus Classic presented by Gilbert Arenas and Damon Stoudamire field is set. Click here for a complete list of teams. Pools and game schedules will be released by the end of the week.

5/21/2007: GOAZCATS.com - The second Arizona Cactus Classic is under wraps and from all accounts, it was once again a success. There was great competition, plenty of elite level talent and some exciting games. Read More.

5/21/2007: CSTV & Hoopmasters - East met West in the finals of the Arizona Cactus Classic Sunday afternoon and the New York City Gauchos came away with the crown in Tucson. It was a survival of the fittest with the Gauchos up against a top Southern California squad in Belmont Shores. Read More.

5/21/2007: Order Arizona Cactus Classic Game DVDs from HoopTV.net. Click here to order.

5/21/2007: Arizona Daily Star - So with a lineup full of major-college guard prospects, the New York Gauchos wrestled the Arizona Cactus Classic title away from Jennings and Long Beach, Calif.-based Belmont Shore, winning 102-96 in the championship game Sunday at McKale Center. Read More.

5/21/2007: Scout - The Second Annual Cactus Classic gave us a chance to see some of the top players in the west, including guys like Michael Snaer, Jordan Hamilton, Jereymy Tyler, Greg Smith, Peyton Siva and others. Read More.

5/20/2007: Scout - The New York Gauchos ran the gauntlet of the Cactus Classic without getting pricked. Kemba Walker, the event’s MVP, helped the Gauchos outlast Belmont Shore for the championship. Read More.

5/20/2007: Rivals.com - It came down to a west coast vs. east coast match up at the Cactus Classic, and the New York Gauchos overcame the enhanced Belmont Shores squad 102-96 behind the sharp shooting of Chris Fouch and the solid play of point guard Kemba Walker. Read More.

5/20/2007: Scout - Saturday at the Cactus Classic was non-stop ball. Jeremy Tyler has the biggest upside of anyone here. We found a few rising seniors who stood out amongst a strong contingent of younger guys. Read More.

5/19/2007: Rivals.com - Pool play is finished at the Arizona Cactus Classic and Saturday was highlighted by a kid with only one year of high school ball under his belt. Rivals.com breaks down the Saturday morning and afternoon games. Read More.

5/19/2007: Scout - Opening night at the Cactus Classic featured one of the best AAU games of the spring. Demar Derozan, Brandon Jennings and Jrue Holiday left a lasting impression as they dueled in the desert. Read More.

5/19/2007: Rivals.com - Belmont Shores and Pump N Run Elite squared off against each other in the marquee game of the first night of the Cactus Classic, and Demar Derozan was terrific for Belmont Shores. Here is a breakdown on his play along with a number of other prospects. Read More.

5/19/2007: Scout - The Cactus Classic, in just its second year, proved again that it's probably the best spring event in the west, with a great deal of talent, like Washington 2009 point guard Peyton Siva, and a great game Friday night, featuring a huge performance by junior wing Demar DeRozan. Read More.

5/19/2007: Rivals.com - If Friday night's action at the Cactus Classic was any kind of preview for what kind of weekend this will be, then buckle up. Things are about to get very interesting. Two of the best guards in the West met head to head for a memorable match-up that will have people talking. Read More.

5/18/2007: GOAZCATS.com - The Arizona Cactus Classic returns to Tucson this evening and the 32-team, 79-game event hopes for another great weekend after a successful inaugural tournament a year ago. Several of the nation’s top talent will be in town, as there will be prospects ranked in the Top 10 nationally in each of the next five recruiting classes – 2008 through 2012. Read More.

5/18/2007: Arizona Daily Star - NCAA rules will keep college basketball coaches away from the talent-laden Arizona Cactus Classic this weekend. A lack of natural rooting interests, springtime diversions and other sporting events may keep fans away, too. But Jim Storey hopes they don't. Read More.

5/18/2007: GatorBait.net - Some of the top prospects in the nation are headed to the desert this weekend to take part in the Arizona Cactus Classic and there are a few prospects that have Florida on their list that will be at the event. Read More.

5/17/2007: Rivals.com - There is a new power tournament in the west. The second annual Arizona Cactus Classic at the University of Arizona tips off this weekend and tournament organizers have every top name in the west in the event. Tournament organizer Jim Storey and his staff have secured 32 teams for the 79-game event this weekend in Tucson. After last year's successful event, this year's field looks deeper and just as exciting. Read More

5/15/2007: Tucson Citizen - Some of the nation's best high school boys basketball players will show off their skills in Tucson this weekend for the second Arizona Cactus Classic. For the University of Arizona, it's a chance to introduce its program to potential recruits in the AAU Across America Basketball Tour, even though the NCAA does not allow coaches to make contact with visiting players. Read More.

5/15/2007: Arizona Daily Star - Blessed by Southern California's broad recruiting terrain, UCLA and USC both have secured three prominent basketball recruits from the high school class of 2008. All are Californians familiar with the neighborhood. If you're Arizona, Oregon or Washington State, you start at a disadvantage. What can be done? Here's what: Have the best recruits come to you. Read More.

Click here to read all the latest and news archives in the Press Room.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE ARIZONA CACTUS CLASSIC:

"We'd like to thank Jim Storey and his staff they did a great job running the 2006 Arizona Cactus Classic. You'd never know it was their first tourney, everything was first class, info, tournament and hospitality!'
Van Coleman, Hoopmasters National Recruiting Analyst

"The tournament was a smashing success for a number of reasons.  First, the event was extremely well run and organized and tournament director Jim Storey and his staff went the extra mile in every way.  As a matter of fact, we heard a coach from one of the participating teams tell Storey this was the best event that his team has ever played in."
Clark Francis, Hoop Scoop National Recruiting Analyst

"The summer circuit has needed a quality western event and Jim Storey has filled the need with the Arizona Cactus Classic. Everything about the event was first class, and it was one of the best evaluating experiences I have had. A great event in a great location that will only draw better teams from across the country in the years to come."
Jerry Meyer, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst

"Jim Storey and the Arizona Cactus Classic staff deserve high praise for a great event. It was well organized and there was high quality competition. It was definitely the place to be for people in the scouting industry. A very productive weekend."
Gerry Freitas, National Recruting Analyst

"The event was easily one of the best ones we’ve been to in many years. The tournament was well-run, while the facilities and hospitality were terrific. The AAU coaches we spoke to were all in agreement that the Cactus Classic was one of the best events they’ve attended."
Greg Hicks, Scout West Coast Recruiting Analyst

"This is by far the best organized and run tournament we have attended!"
Earl Hurst, Head Coach Utah Pump N' Run

"This year's first annual Arizona Cactus Classic will be an event to be remembered for a long time, at least until next May when the 2nd annual event takes place. Tournament organizer Jim Storey and his staff put on a first class event that turned out to be the best event of the spring."
Anthony Ray, Head Coach Arizona Magic and Publisher of Arizona Preps